Sky Sports presenter Dharmesh Sheth shares who is driving West Ham pursuit of Denis Zakaria
Sky Sports presenter Dharmesh Sheth says technical director Tim Steidten is driving West Ham in their pursuit of Denis Zakaria.
The Juventus star is one of several midfielders, including James Ward-Prowse and Edson Alvarez, to have been linked with a switch to the London Stadium.
David Moyes is in the hunt for reinforcement in the Hammers’ engine room with Declan Rice bound for Arsenal in a £105million switch.
Sheth, who was speaking to the Transfer Talk Podcast, revealed Steidten is the one pushing for Zakaria and tried to sign him in a previous role.
“They remain in positive talks with Juventus about the signing of Denis Zakaria,” Sheth said in quotes reported by the Boot Room.
“This is being driven by their technical director Tim Steidten who tried to sign Zakaria when he was the sporting co-ordinator at Bayer Leverkusen.”
It’s what he’s there for
Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio told his website on Thursday (13) that the Hammers have launched an £11.1million bid for Zakaria.
It should not really be a surprise to learn that the move is being orchestrated by Steidten, whose role it is after all to find talent, make suggestions, and push for transfers to happen.
Moyes will undoubtedly still have a huge influence over who is brought to the club, but it’s what Steidten is there for – indeed it should be heartening if anything to hear he is doing his job.
In terms of Zakaria, he would represent a sound piece of business for West Ham. He spent much of last season warming Chelsea’s bench during a loan spell at Stamford Bridge but would likely have a more prominent role with the Hammers.
Moyes himself has acknowledged that a like-for-like replacement for Rice is nigh on impossible, but with a windfall expected from his sale they can put the cash to good use.
In other West Ham news, the Hammers want to sign Perr Schuurs £34m will reportedly get the job done.